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ANNUAL REPORT, 1946
INTRODUCTION.
Social conditions shewed no real improvement during the year.
The Housing situation in Beckenham, as in the rest of the country,
remained just as serious in spite of the fact that considerable'
progress was made with the programme adopted by the Council.
The general food situation remained about the same, extra
supplies of some foods being counterbalanced by a shortage of
others ; the rationing of bread was a heavy blow to many households
in which bread has always been the principal article of food.
The most noticeable effect of the various shortages and restrictions
was a loss of reserve power: resistance to infections was
impaired and the period of recovery was prolonged. I do not think
that this was entirely the result of physical causes: general tiredness,
monotony of food, hope deferred and a fairly general resentment
at the continuation of restrictions and the.short supply of
those goods, which, though not actual necessities, make so much
difference to the general comfort, have all been contributory causes.
If a clearer indication could be given of how long this state of affairs
was likely to continue, existing circumstances would be accepted
with more equanimity: continued uncertainty is both irritating
and debilitating. For several reasons the children have largely
escaped this particular disability: on the one hand they are not so
conscious of restrictions because most of them have known no other
conditions during their short lives: on the other hand, special
arrangements have been made to safeguard their nutrition and
development.
With the grave shortage of houses and the absence of any
definite programme for the future, it has become essential to maintain
existing houses in a habitable condition, and to call for extensive
work to render fit houses which have become dilapidated through
neglect or damage, and which, in less difficult times, would un"
doubtedly have been condemned and demolished. It is not sufficient
merely to patch up the worse defects in such houses: such a policy
might suffice if there were any reasonable prospect of obtaining more
houses in the near future: but, since it is certain that these houses
will be needed for a good many years to come, they must be rendered
fit in every respect for habitation. It is for this reason that action
is now being taken under the Housing Acts as well as under the
Public Health Acts. Every house which can be saved now and kept
fit for habitation is a positive contribution towards the solution of a
very grave problem.
The inspection and repair of houses has occupied much of the
time of the Sanitary Inspector's Department, and a great deal of
useful work has been done.
The incidence of infectious disease was again very light and no
special problem was presented.
The Maternity and Child Welfare Services were greatly handicapped
by the shortage of staff. Advertisements for Health Visitors
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